In a 12-month period dominated by ‘Riyadh Season’ few fighters have been as successful under the bright lights of Saudi Arabia as Germany’s Agit Kabayel. Yet, despite being on the verge of a world title shot, the undefeated heavyweight has now pulled out of purse bids for his IBF final eliminator against Martin Bakole.
Agit Kabayel has been ever-present in the heavyweight division for the last decade, claiming a decision win against Derek Chisora back in 2017 and remaining undefeated since, but at no point threatening to succeed beyond the European level until the intervention of Al-Alshikh.
On the famous ‘Day of Reckoning’ card back in December, Kabayel was presented with the opportunity to fight Russian knockout artist Arslanbek Makhmudov and to the amazement of viewers around the globe, Kabayel was able to halt Makhmudov in just four rounds.
Kabayel punishing Makhmudov ?? pic.twitter.com/NP6uiNNkIC
— Chris Le Gabach (@Chris_Le_Gabach) December 27, 2023
After that upset win left the jaws of boxing fans agape, Kabayel was once again invited to fight on a Riyadh Season bill and took on another undefeated bogeyman in Cuba’s Frank Sanchez, with many believing that his win over Makhmudov could be exposed as a fluke.
Yet, it was Kabayel who once again sprung the upset and stopped Sanchez in round seven to announce himself as a serious threat to the heavyweight throne and put himself in a strong position to mount a world title challenge in 2025.
It was then confirmed that Kabayel would be tasked with Congo’s Martin Bakole in an IBF final eliminator to determine whom will become the mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois’ heavyweight title.
However, it has now been announced that Kabayel and his team have made the decision to avoid the showdown and have pulled out of purse bids, as Bakole’s trainer Billy Nelson took to social media to share his frustration.
? Told that the Agit Kabayel-Martin Bakole IBF purse bid has been canceled.
No addl info provided for HVY title elim but seems natural fit for Feb 22 #RiyadhSeasonCard.— Jake Donovan (@JakeNDaBox) November 14, 2024
“Unfortunately I’m hearing Ajit Kabayal will be joking [joining] the long line of top fighters who don’t want to fight Martin, real shame has it would have been a good fight.”
Unfortunately I’m hearing Ajit Kabayal will be joking the long line of top fighters who don’t want to fight Martin, real shame has it would have been a good fight.
— Billy Nelson (@L2Box1) November 14, 2024
As a result, it is expected that Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang will assume Kabayel’s position in the final eliminator and edge one step closer to a maiden world title shot, with Bakole the only man standing in between the 40-year-old Chinese veteran and a challenge for Dubois’ IBF crown.
Bakole-Zhang is expected to take place in Spring 2025 but is not expected to take place on Dubois’ February 22nd undercard.
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